2003-06-26_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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7-A REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: 05/12/03 ITEM: Department Approval: Manager Reviewed: Agenda Section: Item Description: Consider Bus Shelters and Bus Benches -- Public Input Only Background: In April, 2002, Craig Piemot, Outdoor Promotions, Inc. (from Denver), presented to the City Council a proposed bus shelter improvement plan along bus routes in Roseville and possibly throughout the 35W coalition Cities. The applicant is working throughout the Metro Area on similar issues. The Council approved ordinance revisions on July 15, 2002, to allow for "bus shelters," as well as "bus benches" to be located along bus routes. (See Attachment I, Ordinance 1267) Staff has been working with the City Attorney on agreement options, which would cover this type of installation on public right-of-ways. The City Attorney has drafted a non-exclusive transit stop shelter franchise ordinance as a means of allowing these operations adjacent public roadways. This ordinance would be non-exclusive, meaning the City could enter into more than one franchise agreement for placement and operation of transit shelters. (See Attachments 2, Squires Legal Opinion & 3, Non-Exclusive Transit Stop Shelter Franchise) Discussion: On March 17,2003, the Council held a first reading ofan ordinance creating a non- exclusive transit stop shelter franchise. Repres.entatives from US Bench expressed a desire to co- locate benches and shelters. The representative from the shelter company expressed concern regarding co-location due to the shelter agreement requiring all of the maintenance at each site. US Bench indicated the public/transit users should be allowed input on this matter. Staff met with representatives of the bench company and the shelter company on April!7, 2003, to see ifthere is common ground on which this issue could be agreed upon. Both companies seem to be holding their position. The City has permitted bus benches at many locations throughout the City for many years. The current ordinance does not allow for co-location of shelters and benches outside the shelter. Potentially, depending on siting requirements and transit facility needs, there may be conflicts. The Council will need to decide whether the City and transit official determine the appropriate facility or whether to amend the ordinance to allow co-location. The Council will also need to decide whether the bus bench vendors need to provide the same level of maintenance and operational services as shelter operators. Another question is whether bus benches continue to be permitted on an annual basis or move toward a franchise agreement with a franchise fee, as proposed with transit shelters. A representative of Metro Transit is invited to the Council Meeting to express their position.